In a stunning move that has set the esports community abuzz, NRG Esports has declared its re-entry into the competitive Counter-Strike scene with the introduction of its new roster for CS2. The announcement was made through a video featuring co-owner Sapnap and CEO Andy Miller, confirming speculation that had been rife earlier in the month about the organization's return to the fray.
Andy Miller put the rumors to rest during an appearance on the "The Crossover," a podcast dedicated to League of Legends, where he outlined NRG's commitment to once again compete within the North American region. This marks a significant step for the organization, which had previously stepped back from Counter-Strike in September 2019.
A Veteran Leader
The newly minted team will be led by seasoned professional Damian Steele, better known as Daps. At 30, Daps is no stranger to the Counter-Strike world, having accrued a series of achievements throughout his career. His most recent role before joining NRG was as a coach for Team Liquid throughout 2022 and 2023. Daps' history with NRG dates back to 2018-2019, before he left just prior to the sale of their former CS:GO roster.
Formidable Roster Additions
Daps will be joined by Vincent Cayonte, alias Brehze, who makes a return to NRG after a four-year tenure with Evil Geniuses. Brehze, aged 25, had previously played alongside Daps in NRG and is coming off a less-than-stellar year with Evil Geniuses, prompting his switch back to his old stomping grounds.
The team also welcomes Josh Ohm, known in the gaming community as oSee, following his benching from Liquid amid significant changes to their roster. With Liquid reducing their CS2 team to merely two players, oSee was compelled to find a new home, landing him a spot with NRG.
Jadan Postma, or HexT, is another notable acquisition, parting ways with Evil Geniuses on November 28 after an 18-month period. His decision to join NRG adds further depth and skill to the already promising lineup.
Rounding out the roster is Justin Coakley, going by the moniker FaNg. He transitioned to NRG after being benched for several months at Complexity, which reshuffled its team to make room for Jonathan Jablonowski, known as EliGE in the gaming world.
The Legacy of NRG Esports in CS
NRG Esports' legacy in Counter-Strike dates back to late 2015, when it first entered the scene by acquiring the Method squad. The initial lineup included Fatih "gob b" Dayik, Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić, Samuel "SileNt" Portillo, Justin "Just9n" Ortiz, and Peter "ptr" Gurney, setting the stage for NRG's growth in popularity.
Between 2018 and 2019, NRG's CS:GO team saw considerable success, boasting an all-star lineup with Tarik Celik, Ethan Arnold, and Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz, along with Brehze and Tsvetelin "CeRq" Dimitrov. The team earned a formidable reputation, ranking among the best in the region under the guidance of coaches Daps and Chet "ImAPet" Singh.
Their accolades include a fourth-place finish at the 2019 StarLadder Berlin Major. After transitioning to Evil Geniuses, they continued their winning streak with triumphs at the 2019 ESL One: New York and the StarSeries i-League Season 8.
However, NRG's withdrawal from the competitive CS scene came as a shock in September 2019, following the sale of its top-ranking roster to Evil Geniuses for a reported $3 million, as disclosed by insider Guillaume "neL" Ratier.
The landscape of North American Counter-Strike has experienced seismic shifts recently, with Team Liquid relocating from NA to EU and rumors circulating about Evil Geniuses potentially exiting esports. Amidst this backdrop, NRG's comeback could herald a new era for the region's competitive scene.
With such a diverse and experienced roster, NRG's resurgence in Counter-Strike is poised to reignite the passion of fans and players alike. As the organization embarks on this renewed journey, the esports community eagerly anticipates the impact NRG will have on the North American and global CS stages.